Traveling lawn sprinkler



Aug. 7,'-1951 w. n. EGLY Erm.

TRAVELING LAWN SPRINKLER Filed Nov. 4, 1946 I5 Sheets-Sheet .1

` mvENTons BY mi ATTORNEYS Aug- 7, 1951 w. D. EGLY m1 553,519

TRAVELING LAWN SPRINKLER Filed Nov. 4, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENToRs h//zz /4/710 6.4 rsf a www h//e/s.

ATTORNEYS Aug. 7, 1951 w. D. EGLY Erm. 2,553,519

TRAVELING LAWN SPRINKLER Filed Nov. 4, 194e s sheets-sheet s INVENTORS Wm /4/1 0. faz r o 60,4 wamshfzee/s.

BY www ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 7, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TRAVELING LAWN SPRINKLER William D. Egly, South Bend, and Columbus W. Harris, Elkhart, Ind.

Application November 4, 1946, Serial No. 707,554

that type of lawn sprinkler which is adapted to traverse a path determined and controlled by the position of the exibie water conduit or hose which connects the sprinkler to a source of water under pressure.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a novel and simple device of this construction, which is effective for its intended purpose and which is sturdy and substantially trouble free in operation.

A further object is to provide a sprinkler of this type in which the operating parts are effectively lubricated at all times.

A further object is to provide a device of this character wherein the working parts are lubricated, which is so constructed that leakage of water into the lubricated portion thereof is er1- tirely avoided.

A further object is to provide a device of this character with valve means for stopping the operation of the sprinkler when it reaches a predetermined position, which valve means are so constructed that leakage of water incident to the operation of closing the valve means is entirely avoided.

A further object is to provide a device of this character with means for releasing pressure trapped within the same and the conduit leading thereto after the valve means of the sprinkler has been closed and the water supply to the sprinkler has been cut off at the water tap.

A further object is to provide a device of this character having a novel and simple construction of driving means connectinga water pressure responsive operating member with the wheels supporting the sprinkler.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character having a drive transmitting means for operating the wheels of the device in the nature of a pawl and ratchet mechanism which is so constructed that disengagement of the parts is prevented while at the same time permitting free lateral play of the parts within predetermined limits.

Other objects will be apparent from the following specification.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is aside view of the device with parts shown inl section taken on line I--I of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a top plan View of the device.

Fig. 3 is a view of the device in side elevation.

' Fig. 4 is a rear end view of the device.

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view of the device taken on line 5--5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detail sectional View of the device taken on line 6--6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a detail transverse sectional view of the device taken on line I-T of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the valve control mechanism of the device. Y

u numeral I0 designates a housing or frame of the device which includes an upper casing part II and a lower casing part I2. These parts are held in xed relation as a unit by side plates I3 of which one thereof, as best illustrated in Fig. 3, may be removable for access purposes The upper casing part I I has a top wall I4 and a bottom wall I5 in which are formed axially aligned apertures to receive and journal an elongated rigid tube or conduit I6. The opening in the upper wall I4 is preferably of smaller diameter than the opening in the lower wall I5, and a shoulder Il is formed on the conduit I6 to bear .against the inner surface of the top wall I4 to prevent vertical displacement of the conduit I5 within the casing. The conduit I6 also has integrally or otherwise formed thereon screwthreaded teeth Iii in the portion thereof confined within the housing I I. Any suitable lbearings (not shown) may be provided to' journal the end portions of the conduit IE within the housing walls. A shaft I9 is journaled in the housing II in laterally spaced relation to `and perpendicular to the conduit I5 and a gear 25 is iixedl'y mounted upon the shaft I9 in meshing relation to the screw-threaded teeth I8 on the conduit I6. Consequently, it will be observed that rotation of the vertical tube Iii serves to rotate the shaft I9 at a substantially reduced speed.

The lower casing part I2 is spaced below the casing part II to provide a channel or passageway 2| between said parts, which passageway is open at its ends and preferably is characterized by a flaring mouth portion dened in part by a downwardly curved upper surface 22 on the part I2. The casing part I2 has a bore axially )aligned with the tube I6 and mounting a bearing sleeve 23 in which the lower end portion of the conduit I6 iits and is journaled. A valve chamber 24 is formed in the casing I2 in axially 'aligned relation to and .below the lower end of the tube I6 and the 4bearing 23. A lateral passage 25 opens into 'the valve chamber 24 and terminates .in an .outer screw-threaded bore portion in which a rigid conduit 25 is scew-threaded to project rearwardly therefrom. The conduit 23 mounts an internally screw-threaded socket 2? at its outer end. The socket 2'! is adapted to ren ceive a screw-threaded coupling or fitting 28 mounted upon the free end of an elongated flexible water hose or tube 29 of the type well known in the art and which is adapted to be connected to a water tap or other source of water under pressure (not shown).

A depending valve control chamber 3l? is secured to the bottom of the casing I2 and has a Vertical guide passage therein axially aligned with the tube I6 and the valve chamber 2li for receiving cylindrical valve element SI adapted to slide vertically therein. The valve element 3l has a flaring upperrmarglnal portion adapted in normal position, as illustrated in full lines in Fig.

l, to seat upon a tapered socket 32 formed in the bottom of the casing I2 and defining the lower portion of the valve chamber 24. Valve element 3l is also provided intermediate its ends with a circumferential groove 33 in which a ball 3, slidable in a transverse bore in the valve casing 3i? and normally urged toward the valve plug by a spring 35, is adapted to seat. The construction of these parts is of such a character that the spring pressed ball 34, which seats in the groove 33 of the valve element, normally serves to hold said valve element closed to permit freeY flow of fluid from the conduit 29 through the tube 25 into the valve chamber 2li and the conduit It.

The valve guiding passage in the element 3i) forms a part of a passage or opening of substantial U-shape and including pressure relieving by-pass 36 with which a by-pass 3l in the =casing I2 communicates, said by-pass 3l opening into the passage 25 in the casing part I2. As illustratedx the by-pass 31 is preferably a small sectional area compared to the cross-sectional area of the passage 25. A transverse shaft 38 is journaled in the valve part 33 with its inner end extending into the passage 36. The inner end of the shaft 38 has a downwardly offset portion 39, and from the lower end of 'this offset 35 projects a finger d which projects under the valve element 3|, as illustrated in Fig. 1. An upwardly projecting link 4I is secured to the outer end of the shaft 38 and is pivotally connected at its free endto an elongated horizontal longitudinally extending actuating member 42, for purposes to be hereinafter set forth.

' The T-tting 45 is threaded upon the upper end of the conduit I6 and tubular sprinkler arms 46 are secured to the arms of said fitting in horizontal radial relation. Where two tubular arms 45 are provided, the same are preferably arranged in axial alignment as ilustrated. The outer-endsV of the sprinkler arms 135 are curved laterally upwardly and mount sprinkler heads i8 provided with apertures 49 for discharging water therefrom. The fitting 45 has a central aperture 50 therein adapted to slidably receive an elongated vertical rod I mounting a head 52 at its outer end and adapted to bear at its inner end upon the top of the valve plug 3l. A stop 53 is formed upon the rod 5I at the portion thereof within the conduit IS spaced below the top wall 50 of the fitting a distance less than the height of the valve chamber 24.

A pair of elongated longitudinally extending bracket arms 60 are secured at opposite sides of the side plates I3 of the frame member I@ and project therefrom at their opposite ends. TheY rear end portion 6I of these arms 6l) journals a transverse shaft 62 which mounts ground engaging wheels 63, here illustrated as provided with transversely ribbed peripheral rim portions 64. The forward ends of the bracket arms 60 converge and are rigidly interconnected by a member 55 in which is journaled a vertical shaft 56 projecting from a clevis 61 which rotatably mounts a wheel 68 at its lower end. The wheel 68 has an axial peripheral contour substantially conforming to the cross-sectional shape of the flexible water hose 29 to be guided thereby when riding upon the same. The elongated rod 42 extends alongside one of the'bracket members Gil and is positioned by and slidable endwise in a guide 69 carried by said bracket arm 5). The forward end of the elongated rod 42 terminates in a head I0 positioned adjacent to and preferably forwardly spaced from the wheel 68.

The shaft E32 mounts a ratchet wheel il xedly thereon intermediate its ends and laterally spaced from the adjacent bearing 5IV journalling the same with reference to bracket arm 6G. The ratchet wheel is provided with rigid teeth 'I2 of hooked or curved shape whereby a member pressing thereagainst in one direction serves to rotate the ratchet wheel, while pressure thereon in the opposite direction results in sliding of the member over the teeth. The shaft I9 mounts an arm or link i3 at its outer end projecting from Y the casing part and secured thereto as by a set screw l to rotate with said shaft. A stud shaft 'l5 is carried by the outer end of the arm i3 and spaced in parallel relation to the shaft I9. A pair of elongated rigid arms 75 preferably formed of sheet metal in channel shape, as best illustrated in Fig. '7, are pivoted at one end Il to the shaft l5. The elongated arms I6 fixedly mount cross-pins i8 at their opposite ends, said arms being of such a length that the pins 'i8 are adapted to engage teeth 'I2 of the ratchet disk ll. The channel shaped arms are positioned oppositely to nt around substantially diametrically opposed parts of the disk ll, as illustrated in Fig. 6. The central portion of each of these arms is preferably cut away at I9 from a point adjacent the cross-pins 'i8 for a substantial eX- tent, as illustrated in Fig. G, whereby the teeth Ia of the disk intervening between the tooth engaged by the pin lli and the pivot mounting of said arms 'IE may iit freely in said cutaway to avoid interference with radial play of the arms with reference to the disk. A spring member 38 of substantially V-shape, whose central portion constitutes a coil 8l encircling the shaft 'I5 and Y whose outer ends are bent to provide hooks 82 engaging the outer edges of the arms i6, serves to urge said arms 'itV inwardly and against the disk ll.

In the use of the device. assuming that the sprinkler has been connected to the flexible water conduit 29 at the socket 2l, the device is nrst positioned with its guide wheel 68 straddling or riding upon the hose or conduit 29. The hose or conduit will be positioned upon the ground to extend along a line which constitutes the longitudinal center of the area which is to be sprinkled. A stop, such as a brick or other fixed abutment (not shown), is positioned adjacent the end of the conduit 29 opposite that to which the sprinkler` is connected at a position which marks the opposite end of the area to be sprinkled. In other words, the sprinkler is po-Y sitioned at one end of an elongated area to be sprinkled; and the abutment is positioned alongside or adjacent the hose at the other end of the area to be sprinkled. When a supply of water is passed through the conduit 29 as by opening the water supply tap or valve, water iiows through the conduit 29, the pipe 26, into and through the valve chamber 24, and thence through the conduit I6 and the sprinkler arms 43 for discharge from the sprinkler heads d8. By virtue of the rotatable mounting of the conduit I t and the water reactance shaping of the ends` of the sprinkler arms lit, the arms le are caused to rotate incident to the flow of water therethrough under pressure, thereby rotating the conduit i5. As the conduit I6 rotates, it transmits a driving force through the screw teeth lil to the gear 23 and thereby drives the shaft is at a reduced speed. The rotation of the shaft I9 is transmitted to the arm 'i3 and thereby causes the arms i6 to be moved longitudinally.

Assuming that the shaft i9 operates in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 6, it will be apparent that movement of the shaft i9 to swing the arms 13 from the position shown will cause both of the arms 'it to move bodily toward the right in the first quarter revolution of the shaft I9. Such movement causes the pin 'i8 on the uppermost arm 16 to act upon the adjacent tooth 12 to rotate the ratchet disk 'H in a clockwise direction. During this time the lower arm l, moving in the same direction, has its pin i8 riding over the convex face of the adjacent tooth 'i2 in a counterclockwise direction, which causes the pin 18 to move to the next seat or space between the teeth 12 in a counterclockwise direction. Subsequent rotation of the shaft I9 causes endwise movement of the arms 'it downwardly and. to the left, as viewed in Fig. 6. When that movement occurs, the pin 'i8 on the right-hand lower arm 76 will press in a clockwise direction against the adjacent ratchet tooth l2 to continue the clockwise rotation of the disk l I, while the upper or left-hand arm 16 in its movement in the same direction traverses freely over the convex face of the adjacent ratchet tooth 'l2 to seat behind that tooth in preparation for the reverse movement of the parts in which it will again. serve to impart a driving impulse to the ratchet disk. In other words, the arms 'JS alternately drive the disk in the same rotational direction and, during the period between working operations thereof, have a lost motion connection with the disk to take a new position with reference to the disk. It will be observed that the spring 3! holds the arms in firm operative relation to the disk, and that the arrangement of the anges of the U-shaped arms on opposite sides of the disk insures against lateral release or disengagement of the arms with the disk incident to the operation of the device, which, as aforementioned, is characterized by movement of the pins i8 radially relative to disk H as the same slide over the teeth of the disk to take a new working position.

When the sprinkler propelled as described above has traversed the area to be sprinkled, it reaches a position at which the head 'ID on the rod 42 abuts the stop hereinabove mentioned, so that continued propulsion of the sprinkler serves to slide the rod 42 rearwardly, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 3. This rearward movement of the rod 42 serves to pivot the link lli and thereby rotate the shaft 38 in a manner to swing the free end of the finger 4I] in an upward direction. Asthe finger 4l] swings upwardly it engages the lvalve member 3l and presses the same upwardly to release the engagement of the spring pressed ball so that the iiow of water to the tube or conduit l 61 is shut off. The valve element 3| is of such length that it is guided through its full stroke by the guide passage therefor within the depending chambered valve member 3d. It will be observed that this upward movement of the valve simultaneously shifts the rod 5i upwardly to the dotted line position shown in Fig. l. The valve member 3| closes the valve chamber 24, and the continuance of water pressure from the tap is diverted through the by-pass 3l and the passage 36 in the member 3l! to act upon the bottom of the valve member 3 I and thereby hold the valve member in its seated position.

It will be observed that by virtue of this arrangement of the parts, the valve :is effectively closed and the device is sealed against the leakage of water therefrom without requiring attention of the user. Subsequently, when the user attends to the sprinkler, he may move it to a new position without closing the water tap to shut 01T line pressure if "he exerts care to hold the rod 42 in its valve closing position and to avoid pressing the rod 5l. The only danger to the user in such an operation occurs when he releases the member 42 and depresses the rod 5| to permit resumption of the sprinkling operation and during the time required for him to move out of the range of customary procedure of the user after a given area has been sprinkled will be to first turn oir the line pressure at the water tap. It will be observed, however, that when this is done there still remains a quantity of water in the hose or conduit 29 which is at line pressure. The user can easily release this line pressure preparatory to moving the hose by pressing against the head 52 of the rod 5| to unseat the valve member 3 l. Inasmuch as the pressure trapped within the hose 29 is quickly dissipated, no danger of being wetted is experienced by the user if he takes care to so adjust the sprinkling arms that the short pressure releasing spurt of water resulting when the --rod 5I is depressed is not directed toward himself. Having depressed the rod 5i, the sprinkler may be moved to any desired new position without danger of water leaking from the device, and the device can be again set into play by simply turning on the water tap at the intake end of the conduit 29.

Another advantage of the device which is of primary importance is the arrangement of the parts to provide the passage 2i between the gear casing Il and the casing part I2. In order to insure free running of the parts, it is contemplated that the gear casing will contain a grease or other lubricant. As long as this lubricant remains unaffected by leakage of water into the gear casing, the free operation of the device is fromgthe casinglg by virtue of the rotating lt of the conduit |16 withinth'e bearing 23 and by virtue of the'water'pressure; thatA leakage extends into the passage 2| where its pressure is dissipatedl so that it drains through the passage. Since pressure of the leakage is dissipated it is prevented from entering into the casing Il as would otherwise occur if the discharge passage 2| was not provided. Therefore, it will be apparent that the construction and arrangement of the parts as shown prevents the occurrence of leakage into the lubricated gear casing ll so that rustingof the working parts or other conditions tending to prevent free operation of the parts is avoided. Y

Other advantages of the device which will readily be apparent are theraccessibility of the parts, their ease of assembly and the avoidance of all constructions Ywhich would tend to reduire repair or replacement of parts. apparent that full access to the gear casing Il may be had by simply removing one of the removable side plates l3. Full access to the valve chamber is had by removing the chambered member 3i! from the bottom oi? the housing unit. Likewise for ease of assembly the same relation of the parts permits sub-assemblies to be easily effected for assembly in turn with other subassemblies to produce a complete device.V Thedrive transmitting arrangement is easily assembled by simply mounting the arms` 'I6 upon theY shaft 'i5 andV then swinging the arms to proper' position against the action` of the spring 8D which will insure operative engagement of the arms with the ratchet disk 'H when the parts are in proper. registen WhileY the construction herein described and illustratedis preferred, it will be understood that changes may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

WeV claim: l. A traveling lawn sprinkler, comprising a housing, a wheeled structure supporting said Y housing, atube rotatable in and projecting from which said tube terminates, saidY casings beingV spaced apart tov define aV passagerfor draining water which leaks fromisaid valve casing.

2.` In a traveling lawn sprinkler, a` gear. casing, a valve casing, means connecting said easings in spaced relation, anda tube journaled in and extending through said gear casing, one endV of said tube terminating in said valveV casing,

said valve casing being spaced below said gear Y casing to provide a passage through which water leaking fromV valve casing may drain.

3. In a traveling lawn sprinkler, a housing,

unit including a casinghaving an inlet chamber and a gear casing containing a lubricant, said Thus it will bev 8 ing aligned apertures, a tube journaled in said apertures with one end terminating within said valve casing and the other end projecting outwardly from the gear casing, water reactive sprinkler means mounted on the last named end of said tube, said tube extending through said gear casing, and gearing in said housing including a gear part on said tube.

5. In a traveling lawn sprinkler, a housing unit including a casing having an inlet chamber and a gear casing containing a lubricant, a tube journaled in said unit and extending through said gear housing and extending into said rst casing in communication with said chamber, a shoulder on said tube engaging a wall of said gear casing to prevent endwise tube movement in liquid pressure and discharge direction, said casings being spaced apart in said unit to denne a passage for draining water leaking from said rst casing.

6. In a traveling sprinkler, a housing unit in- A cluding a chambered portion having an inlet and an outlet, a discharge conduit journaled in said outlet, a sprinkling head carried by the outer end of said conduit andv having a passage therein aligned with said conduit, a valve element in said chambered portion shiitable between open and closed positions, means for shifting said valve element to closed position, said valve element being held in closed position by water pressure, and an elongated reset rod in said tube slidable in said head passage and adapted to unseat said valve element from closed position.

'7. A traveling sprinkler comprising a wheeled frame, a housing unit carried by said wheeled frame and having a chambered portion provided with an inlet and an outlet, a discharge conduit journaled in said outlet, a water reactive sprinkler head carried by the outlet end of said conduit, drive transmission rneansdriven by rotation of said tube for propelling said wheeled frame, a normally open valve element shiftable in said chambered housing portion, and valve actuating V means including" a member journaled in said housing having a laterally projecting portion engageable with said valve element, and means for rotating said valve actuating means including al slidable in and projecting from saidhead, the in'- housing unit havinga drain passage between said casings, said casingshaving a' series Vof aligned apertures therein, and a tubular member journaled in said apertures with one end'terminating in said rst casing andthe other end projecting outwardly of said gear casing,.said tubeextending through said gear casing.

4. Ina traveling lawn sprinklenta' housing unit.

ingwater to'said valve casing, said casings havner end of said rod bearing'on said valve'ele'm-ent.

drive transmission means including a crank driven by said sprinkler and a pair of arms pivotedat one end to said crank and each mounting an:

abutment at its opposite endV and Vengaging the teeth of said disk at substantially diametrically opposite portions of said disk, and a spring urging said-arms toward aach other, at least-a portion of each arm being of U-shaped cross sectionA to ilt' around the periphery of said` disk, said-abutments extending transversely of said arms.`

9. A traveling sprinkler comprising a frame, an I axlejournaled in said frame, wheels mounted on i said axle, a toothed disk ixed on said shaftaf rotatable sprinkler carried by said frame, and

drive transmission means including a crankdriven by said sprinkler and a pair of arms pivoted atone end to said crank and each mounting an': abutment atits opposite end and engagingfthe';- teeth.-A of saiddisk at` substantially diametricallyf.:

opposite portions of said disk, and a spring urging said arms toward each other, each of said arms including a pair of spaced substantially parallel parts interconnected by an abutment-and positioned on opposite sides of said disk.

10. A traveling sprinkler comprising a frame, an axle journaled in said frame, Wheels mounted on said axle, a toothed disk xed on said shaft, a rotatable sprinkler carried by said frame, and drive transmission means including a crank driven by said sprinkler and a pair of arms pivoted at one end to said crank and each mounting an abutment at its opposite end and engaging the teeth of said disk at substantially diametrically opposite portions of said disk, and a spring urging said arms toward each other, said arms being of channel section and positioned astraddle the marginal portion of said disk with its abutment engaging the periphery of the disk, said arms each having its central portion cut away for a portion of its length extending in the direction of 10 said crank from a point adjacent to said abutnent.

WILLIAM D. EGLY. COLUMBUS W. HARRIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 435,757 Lehman Sept. 2, 1890 785,871 Glazier Mar. 28, 1905 1,651,511 Cheney Dec. 6, 1927 1,658,202 Jones Feb. 7, 1928 2,152,425 Wilson Mar. 28, 1939 2,184,793 Clench Dec. 26, 1939 2,228,428 Wilson Jan. 14, 1941 2,262,317 Edwards Nov. 11, 1941 2,314,675 Wilson Mar. 23, 1943 

